Word Origin & History

rep 1705 as abbreviation of reputation; as a shortening of repetition it is recorded from 1864, originally school slang; as a shortening of representative, especially "sales representative," it is attested from 1896. As an abbreviation of repertory (company) it is recorded from 1925.

Example Sentences for rep

Repertoire, rep′ėr-twor, n. the list of musical works which a performer is ready to perform.

We ain't the sort o' characters to presoom on our rep'tations—they're bad.

She sat down in a rep chair at his right, and they looked at each other.

The seats were covered with rep, but must have had haircloth on them at one time.

The windows have green Venetian blinds and rep curtains; and there is a gasalier; but it is a convert to electric lighting.

I'm going to get myself a rep bigger'n all theirs put together.

Crimson rep curtains, hung on a thick, blackened brass rod, divided it into two unequal parts.

The story of how the "push" got its "rep" is best told by Peg, and in his own words.

Every Arras tapestry is a rep fabric, the number of ribs eight to twenty-four to the inch.

I do like having a rep for being one of the Bunch, but if you ever needed me I'd chuck it and come out for you every time!